I READ with great interest the article by Peter Doherty (Feb 12) regarding the intense pressure exerted on the council by residents and the Open Market Traders Association, resulting in the "U-turn" over the Spring fair.

Councillor David Higgin was right to condemn the recommendation to use the Spring Street car park, a proposal which resulted in confusion and worry for local residents and governors of the two schools affected.

However, hasn't the time now come when we should be asking: Do the citizens of Bury want a fair?. Wherever the fair is located - other than its present site at Castlecroft - there will be objections. And in this age of alternative entertainment for the young, instead of searching fruitlessly for a location that pleases everyone shouldn't we just end the ritual?

In the thirties, when I was a child, we had to make our own entertainment and the bi-annual fair was always an occasion to look forward to. But that is not the case for young people today.

The council should think about that before any more stress is caused over this matter.

A. WITHINGTON.

Wellington Road, Bury.

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